JOIN Apple’s hidden iPhone club that lets you try secret features before your friends and family.
It’s free to sign up and it comes with huge perks for gadget fans.
Better still, joining the Apple Beta Software Program only takes a few minutes.
The idea is that you test out upcoming iOS updates for your iPhone.
And then you can provide feedback before they go live to everyone else – giving Apple a chance to fix any bugs.
The main downside is that you might have to suffer through some of those bugs.
On the bright side, it’s totally free to join and you can leave at any time.
WAIT! BEFORE YOU JOIN
Before you join Apple’s iOS beta, you should consider whether it’s the right move.
You will get access to unreleased features, which is great.
But you might also experience bugs, which can be very significant at times.
It’s best to install the beta on a second device, but many people do use their primary phones for it too.
Apple recommends backing up your iPhone before updating to an iOS beta.
There’s no compensation for testing software in the beta, so don’t expect a pay-out for giving feedback.
It’s also worth noting that installing the beta version of iOS won’t void your hardware warranty, so don’t worry about that.
HOW TO JOIN IPHONE IOS BETA
Once you’re ready to join, head over to the Apple Beta Software Program website here.
Then simply log in with your Apple ID and follow the instructions to register.
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Next restart your iPhone, and then go to Settings > General > Software Update.
You should now see a new option for Beta Updates.
If you see it, you can simply select the beta update that you want to install.
Apple’s latest iPhone software is the iOS 18 series, with iOS 18.1 currently in testing.
iOS 18 devices – can your iPhone get it?
Here are the devices that can get the new iOS 18 update
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
You’ll need a device that supports iOS 18 to try the iOS 18.1 beta – so very old iPhones won’t be able to get involved.
Once you install the beta software, it will override whatever current version of iOS you were previously running.
If you want to share any thoughts with Apple about the new features, you can do it through your iPhone’s built-in Feedback Assistant app.
Apple says you should do this “when you experience an issue or something does not work as expected”.
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If you want to turn off beta updates, just go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
Then simply tap the Off button on the list of options.
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You can also leave the Apple Beta Software Program at any time.
Just sign in to the Apple Beta Software Program website and choose the Leave Program option.
